The original concept for this dining set was from NYC architect Gary Deam of Deam Design. He designed the apartment this project is for, incorporating a long built in banquette to anchor the dining area. I was asked to design and build the individual pieces. Trestle tables work best with banquettes, so that was my starting point. The chair design is a refinement of a chair that I have built a couple of times in the past. And the banquette was designed to have clean lines and comfortable geometry. Since the space was going to feel refined and comfortable, I wanted to introduce something bold and a little rugged as counterpoint. So I used reclaimed Heart Pine, with all its cracks, holes, and character. On certain surfaces I planned to keep the antique patina of the old beams.

Here are boards for the tabletop being laid out:

Tabletop boards

The trestle assemblies (legs) for the table, with the top in the background:

Table components

A chair, beginning to take shape:

Chair, under construction

And finally, the banquette takes form. (Notice the cutout in the seat: I made the seat with two lids that hinge up so the bench can be used for storage as well.)